Climate Action Plan
Climate change can be defined as a continuous shift of weather patterns and temperatures. Excess greenhouse gases emit from anthropogenic activities, especially from burning fossil fuels, and gather in the atmosphere. The gases act as an incubator and warm the climate by preventing heat radiation from escaping out into space. This heat energy dissipates by reacting to the surrounding environment and causing catastrophic weather events to occur, therefore negatively impacting local communities. The climate crisis develops social injustices, influences infrastructure and economic losses, and poorly impacts the health and well-being of the environment.
For more information about climate change, carbon pollution, and associated impacts, please consider exploring the following websites:
In September of 2022, Lower Macungie Township became an active participant in the Pennsylvania DEP’s Local Climate Action Program (LCAP). The program encourages local climate action by providing free research and technical assistance through a university partner and a DEP contractor, ICELI USA. This initiative joined Lower Macungie Township with Penn State students and staff members to develop communitywide greenhouse gas inventory reports and a Climate Action Plan.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory assessments calculate all emissions from daily activities, such as transportation, solid waste, water and wastewater, stationary energy, and agricultural sources. The inventory must offer a complete evaluation of all data within the chosen boundary and clearly identify the methods of data acquisition, including limitations and data gaps or assumptions. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides are common greenhouse gases to include in an inventory investigation. GHG inventories should include relevant, consistent, and accurate data values and calculations. These reports can be used to identify trend progressions and areas where emission reductions can be managed.
Presentation on January 23, 2023 of Inventory Collected
2019 Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report | 2021 Communitywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report | |
Climate change significantly impacts human health and development, biodiversity, economic growth, and a multitude of other facets of daily life. To combat these negative effects, greenhouse gas inventories are being utilized to identify heavy emission factors. Climate Action Plans (CAPs) then utilize data from greenhouse gas inventories to analyze and propose sustainable solutions that are socially, economically, and environmentally advantageous. CAPs are a detailed and strategic framework that work to measure, reduce, and monitor greenhouse gas emissions within a chosen boundary. Examples of proposed solutions within a CAP may include climate policies or incentives, efficiency programs, and education programs.